Facebook threat prompts lockdown of 3 Flagler schools

Deputies search for former student

Three school campuses in Flagler County were locked down Wednesday after a former student posted threatening Facebook messages.

Officials said 20-year-old William Hofer, whose last known address was in Palm Coast, posted the messages overnight that included threats about harming himself and indicated he had access to weapons.

"That he was going to hurt some people, and if meant going to jail or being killed by cops, suicide by cops, that's what it was going to be," said Maj. Steve Claire, with the Flagler County Sheriff's Office.

The posts included pictures of guns and ammunition, authorities said.

School authorities said the move to lock down the schools was only precautionary and classes at Flagler Palm Coast High School, Matanzas High School and Daytona State College Flagler Palm Coast proceeded as normal.

Lockdowns were initiated at about 9 a.m. Wednesday morning. Students were dismissed on time in the afternoon.

Hofer graduated from Flagler Palm Coast High School and intended to enroll in Daytona State College in Palm Coast, so it was locked down as a precaution.

He was found near his father's home and arrested after he ran into the woods, police said.

Investigators told WESH 2 that Hofer had trouble at home and that his father kicked him out of the house Wednesday morning.